sdingeldein 0 Posted July 4, 2009 I am diving Key Largo and took a random picture of a Christmas Tree worm. As I reviewed the pictures, lo and behold, a small fish is looking out from one of the spirals of the worm. Does anyone have any idea what the fish is (unfortunately the fish is out of focus) and is this just a random happening or is there a blenny or similar fish that associates with Christmas Tree worms? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ce4jesus 1 Posted July 4, 2009 Never seen that before....nice capture. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Leslie 0 Posted July 4, 2009 I read somewhere that some of the blennies that live in CTW burrows are actually living alongside the worms. While the worms can only fully emerge when the blennies are out of the burrows they receive extra nutrition from the fish's wastes. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cor 0 Posted July 4, 2009 I have a similar image from about 2004 from st croix with a small fish looking out from underneath a christmas tree worm. Pretty cool form of symbioses if thats what it is. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jeremypayne 0 Posted July 4, 2009 I have a similar image from about 2004 from st croix with a small fish looking out from underneath a christmas tree worm. Pretty cool form of symbioses if thats what it is. I saw the same thing in St. Croix twice this year myself and couldn't get a capture. The ones I saw were secretary blennies that seemed to have little homes right next to the worms. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
shchae 3 Posted July 4, 2009 Wow....I never expected to see this in so sensitive christmas worm....Good Catch.... Sam Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sdingeldein 0 Posted July 5, 2009 Wow....I never expected to see this in so sensitive christmas worm....Good Catch.... Sam I've found a better one in my collection from Key Largo. I think - quick guess - it is a triple fin. I had an email exchange with Anna DeLoach and she said they have seen glass gobies in CTWs . . . I'll post the other picture after I catch my breath. SD Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sdingeldein 0 Posted July 6, 2009 I sent the second picture to Anna DeLoach and she had Ned Look at it. They can't be sure but think it is a female blackhead blennie. Evidently they do occasionally take up residence in abandoned CTW holes, so would be nearby. SD Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
